# Inanimate Icon Covers Barbie Graces the Cover of the 50th Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue By Farida Helmy | Published 2014-02-14 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sports-illustrated-swimsuit-issue References: [adweek](http://www.adweek.com/news/press/sports-illustrated-swimsuit-issues-newest-model-barbie-155653) & [sportsillustrated.cnn](http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2013_swimsuit/more/) [Barbie](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-by-american-girl) will be gracing the cover of the [Sports Illustrated](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dove-and-sports-illustrated) Swimsuit Issue for its 50th anniversary. The Mattel fashion doll will also be featured on the inside of the magazine with her very own editorial feature spread that was 'shot' by Sports Illustrated photographer Walter Iooss Jr. Paying tribute to this all-American beauty, the Barbie cover for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is already causing controversy. The '#unapologetic' campaign that Mattel and Sports Illustrated collaborated on is already teasing the public with its [Times Square](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/molly-baz1) billboard debut. Bearing the same name as the recent Grammy-winning Rihanna album, the Unapologetic campaign celebrates individuality. “As with Barbie, every year the Swimsuit edition sparks conversations about women and body image, and Sports Illustrated stands unapologetically behind this issue that women, in reality, love,” says a Mattel spokesperson about the Barbie controversy. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.8/10 - Popularity: 28% | Activity: 19% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Controversial Covers:** Opportunity for brands to collaborate on cover features that spark conversations and celebrate individuality. - **Barbie Fashion Editorials:** Opportunity for toy companies to collaborate with fashion magazines on editorial spreads featuring iconic dolls. - **Body Image Discussions:** Opportunity for brands to support and engage in conversations about women and body image in media. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion:** Opportunity for fashion brands to collaborate with toy companies on innovative fashion editorials. - **Magazine Publishing:** Opportunity for magazine publishers to attract attention by featuring controversial cover stories. - **Branding and Marketing:** Opportunity for brands to leverage controversial cover features to engage in discussions and promote their products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Glamorous Collector Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-by-american-girl.md) - [Collectible Football Fan Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-nfl-super-bowl-champion-doll.md) - [Athlete Commemorative Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/venus-williams-barbie.md) - [Fashion Legend Barbie Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/claudia-schiffer-barbie.md) - [Celebratory Monochromatic Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/65th-anniversary-barbie-signature-doll-collection.md) - [Doll-Inspired Coffee Table Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-coffee-table.md) - [Inspiring Role Model Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-role-models.md) - [Late Singer-Honoring Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aaliyah-barbie.md) - [Inclusion-Focused Doll Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-2.md)